Method of and apparatus for treating exhaust gases



Nov. 2 1926.

c. E. THOMPSON Er Al.

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR TREATING EXHAUST GASES File NOV. 6 1925 4Sheets-Sheet 1 rug.

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Nov. 2 192e. 1,605,484

C. E THOMPSON ET Al.

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR TREATING XHAUST GASES .Filed Nov. 6, 1925 4Sheets-Sheet 2 oaouoanoaeoueauegeeon Nav. 2 1926. 1,605,484

c. E. THOMPSON sr AL METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR TREATING EXHAUST GASESFiled Nov. 6l 1925 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 ,4free/vin 4 Sheets-Shea?I 4 few/420rrae/VEK Nov. 2 1926.

C. E. THOMPSON Er AL METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FCR TREATING EXHAUST GASESFiled NOV. 6

'remata' Nov. z, 192s.

uNi-.TEpsTATi-:s )PATENT opp-mE.

CHARLES E. THOMPSON, F WICKLIFFE, AND BIHABD E'. BIBSELIJT OF CLEVELANDHEIG HT,'OHIO; SAID BISSELL AASSIGNOB, T0 SAID THOMPSON.

HETHOD 0F AND APPARATUS FOB TBEATING EXHAUST GASES.

'Application led November 8, 1925. Serial No. 87,377.

" This application is a continuation in part of pending a plicationfiled by the applicants herein ecembe 17th, 1924, and beari ing SerialNumber 756,481.

Our invention relates to methods of and apparatus for treating theproducts of combustion emanating from a combustion chamber, its objectbeing to either eliminate or modify the Well-known toxic or,

ticular advantage to the exhaust gases produced in the operation ofinternal coinbustion engines, which, as is well known, contain aconsiderable amount of the highly toxic carbon monoxide together withobnoxious elements such as methane gas and oil vapors.

In applying our invention to a multiple cylinder internal combustionengine, we have found the best results to be obtained by ei'ectingsecondary combustion under uniform conditions, that is under conditions,

in which theexh-aust gases from each cylinder are commingled with anoxidizing agent, the oxidizing character of which is substantiallyidentical with that of the oxidizing character of the agent commin--gled with the exhaust gases of each of the other cylinders.

We have also found it preferable to eii'ect the combustion in a zonebeyond the ignit.- ing influence of any flame which may result from theprimary combustion, and effect the secondary combustion by meansindependent and separate from such flame.

As specifically applied to an internal combustion engine, the processconsistsv broadly in commingling the exhaust gases With a gaseousoxidizing agent, initiating combustion of the comming ed gases by asource of heat other than 'the gases themselves, and continuingv activecombustion by the heat derived from/the burning gases.

More specifically, the process contemplates the utilization ofcatalyzing means to promote combustion. For effecting this process wehave devised novel apparatus includ-y ing means to cause thecomminglingof the gaseous oxidizing agent and the exhaust gases, a meansto initiate combustion of the commingled gases, and

means to promote combustion.

The annexed drawingsl and the followingy description set forth theprocess and certain means for carrying .it out, the disclosed means,however, constituting but merely examples of the manner in which theprinciples of our invention may be employed.

In said annexed drawing:

'Figure 1 represents a longitudinal sectionof a motor vehicle showingadevice forA carrying out our invention applied 'thereto 2 represents alongitudinal axial sectlon, upon an enlarged scale, of the said device;l

Fig. 3 represents a section taken upon the plane indicated by lineIII-III in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 represents plane indicated by Fig. 5 represents upon the Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 represents a diagram of the electric circuit which may be used inthe application of our invention to a four cylinder motor vehicleengine;

Fig. 7

line IV-IV in Fig. 2; an end elevation taken plane indicated by line V-Vin 1s a view partly in elevation and partly 1n section of another formof the device for carrying out our invention;

Fig. 8 represents, a detailed section VIII of Fig. 7; n Fig. 9represents a section IX-IX of Fig. 8.

In the particular apparatus illustrated by Figs. l to 6 of the drawings,a central upon an enlarged scale, taken on line VIII- taken on -linemetal tube 1 is provided having its one end closed by a disk 2, and itsopen end connected with a casing 3 provided with the air chamber 4 andthe bell-mouthed duct 5 connecting said chamber and tube.

In the outer end of casing 3 is a disk 6 provided with a plurality ofair inletsv'?. Surrounding the casing end is a shell 8 provided with aplurality of air openings 9 Whose areas may be varied by rotatable diskvalve 10,` as will be understood.

A 4sleeve 11 is threaded into and through a central opening ,12 in thedisk 6 and has secured to its inner end an outwardly flaring mouthedduct 5, Fig. 1.

a catalyzing a section taken upon the ioo i Mhunted upon the tube 1 aretwo end lates, 14 and 15 respectively, and secured tween these platesare three concentric cylindrical shells, 16, 17 and 18 respectively.

These cells form three annular chambers,V

19, 20 and 21 respectively.

The end portion of tube 1 adjacent to plate 14 is provided with aplurality of small perforations 22 and the end portionpt` shell 16adjacent to plate 15 is provided with the larger perforations 23.

. side of said Communicating with the chamber 2O is'a plurality ofoutlet openings 24 formed 1n plate 14, Figs. 1 and 4. Secured to theoutplate is a discharge nozzle Y, 25 communicating with the openings 24.

' of contact with said f -Mounted upon and' electrically connected withthe tube 1 and substantially midway of the perforated portion there is awlre support 26 which' carries a platinum wire 27 out tube, as shown inFig 3. The said support and platinum wire almost completely surround thetube 1.

Passing through all three of the shells 16, 17 and 18 and so as to makea gas-tight joint therewith, is a sleeve 28 through which passes anelectrical spark terminal v29. The end of the terminal is adjacent tothe wire support 26 and platinum wire 27, so that when the terminal isconnected with a suitable source of current, a spark will pass from theterminal to the wire and thence to the tube 1, which latter acts as aground connection.

the spark coils of the cylinder spark plugs and a spark will hence becaused to pass from the terminal 29 to the support 26 whenever -a sparkis made in any of the cylinders, that is each time the timer makes aconnection.

Further description of these connections will be unnecessary, as thediagram will make plain to anyone skilled in the art just how suchconnections may be made.

The sleeve 11 is connected with the exhaust pipe 32 which leads from theexhaust manifold of the engine, and, as shown in Fig. 1,` theabove-described device is placed conveniently beneath the rear end ofthe vehicle body, thereby removing the de l vice some distance vfrom theexhaust outlets 0f the' engine and hence any flame emanating therefrom.

The above-described device operates as follows: j

' Let it beassumed that the engine is started. The exhaust gases willall be discharged e commingled with the exhaust gases. The l form of thenozzle 13 and duct 5 is such that a very complete carburetion of the airwith the 'exhaust gases is produced. It will /be observed at this ointthat all of the exhaust gases are mixed with an oxidizing agent uniformas to its oxidizing character, and that therefore all of the combustiblematerial is subjected to a uniform combustion and is hence alltransformed into the non-toxic or unobnoxious products to the samedegree, as will hereinafter appear.

This carburetted air passes through the tube 1, through the perforations22, into chamber 19, through the openings 23, into the chamber 20,through the openings 24 into the discharge nozzle 25 and thence into theatmosphere. There are a multiplicity of small perforations 22 arrangedat the rear end of the tubel, forming a screen to confine the flame tothe combustion chamber 19 a'fter the principle of a miners lamp. Thecylindrical band of perforations serves to evenly distribute the mixedgases and cause the even burning thereof, thus lowering the temperatureof the mass .of gases in the vicinity of the catalyzing wire 27 belowthat which would otherwise occur.

After the said gases have reached a given temperature they are ignitedby the spark and burn in the chamber 19 which hence forms a secondarycombustion chamber, and the products of such secondary combustion passout of the chamber 19 into chamber 20 and are eventually discharged intothe atmosphere.

` As a result of such combustion, the platinum wire becomes heated,reaches a given temperature and hence becomes activated to form acatalyzer which induces the combination of oxygen and carbon monoxide ormethane 'and other gases and vapors of the Elli lun

carburetted air, thus converting such mon- I oxide to the innocuousdioxide, and converting the methane and gasoline vapors to lessobnoxious compounds. y

The openings 23 in shell 16 are at the forward end thereof, .whereby thehot gases are conducted along the outer surface of the tube 1 topre-heatl the commingled gases in the mixing chamber. The' hot gases 4are thereafter conducted along the interior Wall of the shell 17 to theexit openings 24, thereby `effectively heating the air in the chamber21.

In operation, the heat of secondary combustion ordinarily maintains thecatalyzing Wire 27 at la temperature high enough to cause it to promotechemical union of the gases (about 612 F.), so that combustion of thegases Will` be effected continuously although there may betimes when theheat of secondary combustion Will not alone sufce to continue activecomplete combustion. The electric spark is a convenient means forinitiating combustion of the mixed gases and building it up to the pointWhere the catalyst Will assist or promote combustion and untilcombustion may continue from the heat of secondary combustion, but it isabsolutely necessary only at the initial stage of operation or when thetemperature of secondary combustion becomes too low for combustion tocontinueautomatically when assisted by the catalyst; a suitable switch33 is provided by Which the spark may be cut out When desired. So, Whilethe electric spark is not necessary for continuous combustion, it isconsidered more convenient to permit its operation at all times.

Inasmuch as the chemical union of carbon monoxide and oxygen, or methaneand oxygen is exothermic in character, the heat resulting therefrom isavailable and may Well be used for heating purposes.

Such h'eat may therefore be readily applied to the heating of theinterior of closed types of vehicles such as motor busses.

To this end the outer chamber 21, which has no connection with the pathof the gases in the apparatus, and acts as an exterior insulatingchamber, may be provided With an v air inlet 34 at the bottom and an airoutlet 35 which may be connected by a suitable duct With a heat register36 in the floor (as shown) or in any other suitable part of the interiorof the vehicle Which may be advanr tageous. vInlet 34 may be providedwith a suitable screen 40.

For the purpose of enabling the operator )to know Whether or not theapparatus is working and to what degree, We provide an indicatingpyrometer which may be in the form of a thermocouple 37, Fig. 3,projecting into the secondary combustion chamber and connected bysuitable Wiring 38 to an indicating dial 39 preferably located upon zhedash board of the vehicle, as shown in In Figures 7, 8 and 9 we show adifferent embodiment of our invention, which is not considered aspractical in form, as a Whole, as that shown in Figs. 1 to 6, but whichdiscloses a feature of our invention not specically embodied in theapparatus as The end of this pipe projects into a casing 43 and has itsinner end tapered as shown. The tapered end projects into an interiorbell-mouthed portion 44. The latter is also `provided With an inletopening 45 at the bottm Vof which is connected va`T 46, Whose' tryoinlets are connected respectively with pipes 47 and 48. `Pipe 47 isconnected with the manifold intake of the engine and is provided with avalve 49. Pipe 50 leads to a secondary combustion chamber 51,`

which conveniently may be the muiiler, andthe latter is surrounded by anair-chamber 52 communicating at its outer end with the atmosphere bymeans of a suitable opening 53 and at the inner end with pipe 48. Thelatter is provided with a valve 54.

It Will be seen from the above, that the casing 43'and connected partsform an ordinary inspirator or air-lift by means of Which the air fromthe chamber 52 or combustible mixture -from the manifold intake may bedrawn into the exhaust ductas a result of the passage through the latterof the exhaust gases from the engine, according as the valves 49 and 54are opened or closed.

Interposcd transversely in the pipe 50 or portion 44, and secured in anysuitablemanf ner, is a member 55 composed of a material,

such as platinum for example, which will act or may be caused to act asa catalyzing agent in effecting the union of carbon monor methane andoxygen to form Water vapor and carbon dioxide or such other reactions asare Well known in the chemical arts with gases and conditions present.

Also interposed in the pipe 5() is a spark plug 56 included in anelectrical circuit including also a source of current such as a battery57, and interrupter 58, and a switch 59. The mufier 51 is provided withthe usual tail-pipe 60 discharging into the atmosphere.

Instead of relying upon the heat of secondary combustion to heat thecatalyst to the point of activation, it may be desirable in some casesto employ a battery 61, with' a circuit of which the catalyst forms apart, which may be closed by switch 62.

In order to conserve the heat it is preferable to embed theabove-described apparatus in suitable insulation confined in the casing40 as shown.

The operation of this form of apparatus Will be obvious from theabove-description ,u oxide and oxygen to form carbon dioxide, f

of thel operation of the preferred form. The principal differencebetween the two forms is that in the form shown in Figs. 7 to 9, asource of additional fuel is employed to ignite the exhaust gases. Asshown, the additional fuel supply is .drawn from the `intake, manifoldby opening the valve 49,

which may be closed when additional fuel is not found to be necessaryror desirable.

While wehave shown the exhaust gases from all of the cylinders of theenginey as being discharged into a common duct before being mixed withthe air and then burned,

it will be readily seen that the .apparatusl the smoke emanating fromchimne s may be destroyed or modified and the eat of the secondarycombustion utilized for any suitable purpose.

While we have described two specific embodiments of the principles ofour invention,these specific embodiments are not, in all their features,our joint invention but the sole invention of one of us. For this reasona number of patentable features herein disclosed are not claimed, theclaims herein being confined to the broad aspects of the process andapparatus.

What we claim is:

1. The process of treating gases resulting from the combustion of fuelin an internal combustion engine which` consists in commingling suchgases with a gaseous oxidizing agent, igniting the mixed gases by anexternal source of heat, andvthereafter continuing active combustion bythe .heat derived from the burningl gases.

2. The process set forth in claim l in which the heat to ignite themixed gases is produced by electrical means.

3: The process set forth in claim 1 in which the igniting means consistsof an electric spark.

4. The process set forth in claim l with the additional step of heatingthe gaseous oxidizing agent prior to mixing it with the exhaust gases.

5. rlhe process set forth in claim 1 in which the gases are mixed by theinjector method.

6. The process of treating gases resulting from the combustion of fuelin an internal combustion engine which consists in commingling suchgases with a gaseous oxidizing nal source of`heat, and thereaftercontinuing active combustion with the aid of a catalyst.

7. The process of treating gases resulting from the combustion of fuelin an' internal combustion engine which consists in commingling suchgases with a gaseous oxidizing agent, initiating active combustionthereof when the temperature of the mixed gases is below that at which agiven catalytic agent would promote combustion, and thereaftercontinuing combustion in`the presence of such catalytic agent.

8. The process of treating gases resulting from the combustion of fuelin an internal combustion engine which consists in commingling suchgaseswith a gaseous oxidizing agent, initiating active combustionthereof when the temperature of the mixed gases is below that at which aplatinum catalyzer would promote combustion, and thereafter continuingactive combustion in the presence of a platinum catalyzer.

9..Apparatus for treating gases resulting from the combustion of fuel inan internal combustion engine, comprising, in combination, an enginehaving an exhaust duct, a mixing chamber connected with the exhaust ductand into which the exhaust gases are thereby conducted, means foradmitting thereto a gaseous oxidizing agent and commingling the samewith the exhaust gases, and an igniter fixed in position and heated froman external source adapted to ignite the mixed gases to cause activecombustion.

10. Apparatus for treating gases resulting from the combustion of fuelin an internal combustion engine, comprising, in combination, an engineha'dng an exhaust duct, a mixing chamber connected with the exhaust ductand into which the exhaust gases are thereby conducted, means 'foradmitting thereto a gaseous oxidizing agent and commingling the samewith the exhaust gases, and means for igniting the comming] ed asescomprising a source of fuel supply lndependent of the exhaust gases.

'11. Apparatus for treating gases resulting from the combustion offuelin an internal combustion engine, comprising, in combination, anengine having an exhaust duct, a mixing chamber connected with theexhaust duct and into which the exhaust gases are from the combustion offuel in an internal combustion englne comprising, in combination, amixing chamber into which the exhaust gases are conducted, means foradmitagent, igniting the mixed gases by an exter- .thereby conducted,means for admitting' ting to the mixing chamber a gaseous oxidizin whichthe igniter, oonsists of an electrical ing agent, means for comminglingthe same spark. Y with the exhaust gases, an igniter heated 15. Thecombination specified in c1aim-12 from an external source adapted toignite in which the catalyst consi-sts of a platinum 5 the mixed gasesto cause active combustion, wire. v l5 v and a, catalyst to promoteactive combustion. Signed by us this 30th day of October,l

13. The combination specified in claim 12 1925. in which the igniterconsists of'e-lectrical means. 'l CHARLES E. THOMSON. i 14. Thecombination specified in claim 12 v RICHARD E. BISSELL.

